Trying to date Conn Connstellation

Fubeca · Regular Member Joined: 30 Apr 2019 Posts: 58

Hello all, I've come across a Conn Connstellation that's in really good shape (minor dings in bell and the first valve slide trigger is missing the rod). It still plays great, compression is good, and everything moves easily. Three questions about it:

What year was it made? Serial number is GL520445. Conn's serial number list leads me to believe it's a 1955, but I can't find any indication of what the "GL" means. The bell does not say Elkhart.

How do I know if it's a 38B or a 36B?

What would be a fair price for it? The owner doesn't know what it's worth, but I want to be fair.

lipshurt · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 12:14 pm Post subject:

Picture?
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HERMOKIWI · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2618

I have a 1956 Connstellation 38B. There are no letters preceding the serial number for Connstellations of that era, so if the serial number of your horn begins with GL there is no chance it's from any time near that era.

According to the Conn Loyalist letters started appearing before the serial number in 1963 but that website doesn't list any GL prefixes.

If it doesn't say "Elkhart" on the bell then it's probably a post 1970's horn.

Photos would help. A photo from each side and a photo of the bell stamp should be enough.

The differences between the 36B and the 38B are shown on the Conn Loyalist website.
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Shifty · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 2:05 pm Post subject:

Hornucopia says:

In March of 1974 an alpha-numeric system was established: The first character of the serial number indicated the decade;

"G" for the 1970's,
"H" for the 1980's, etc.
The second character indicated the month of the year;

"A" for January,
"B" for February,
"C" for March, etc.
The third character indicated the year within the decade (defined by the first letter).

The fourth character indicated the instrument:

"1" = Cornet,
"2" = Trumpet,
"3" = Alto Horn,
"4" = French Horn,
"5" = Mellophone,
"6" = Valve Trombone,
"7" = Slide Trombone,
"8" = Baritone Horn & Euphonium,
"9" = Tuba, and
"10" = Sousaphone.
The remaining numbers indicated the production number within the month.
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Fubeca · Regular Member Joined: 30 Apr 2019 Posts: 58

Sorry about taking so long to respond. Thanks for the info.

Fubeca · Regular Member Joined: 30 Apr 2019 Posts: 58

So, I don't need/want a second Bb and the owner just wants it gone. She asked me to sell it for her. I can't post in marketplace yet (I'm still too new). What's the best way to get this thing sold?

[img]https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y7DypWXGW1Y7YVSR7[/img]

[img]https://photos.app.goo.gl/yhXwSoKyntsgeYD49[/img]

[img]https://photos.app.goo.gl/qamyBBWdyLD5m8Tq7[/img]